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Insane Madrid Layover?

Hello all

In May my husband I and our 2 kids land in Madrid at 11:15 am and our connecting flight to Paris leaves from Madrid at 5:30pm. What are the chances we could make it to the Reina Sofía and back in time? We really only want to see Guernica. I know this is obviously crazy but I am not sure if its even remotely possible even with the use of cabs etc. If it isn't is there anything we can do that is interesting to fill those few hours?

Posted by
1589 posts

After arrival & customs, at best, you have under 3 hours outside the airport-you will need to be back by 4 pm to catch the Paris flight. It doesn't seem likely. How about some people watching in the airport?

Posted by
20 posts

There wont be customs... but I hear what you are saying. Do you think we could take a cab, go in with prepaid tickets, see guernica turn around and cab back to the airport and make it back in 4 hours?

Posted by
23582 posts

Not clear where you are coming from? Customs is walk through. Immigration can be the hang up.

Posted by
23582 posts

Not clear where you are coming from? Customs is walk through. Immigration can be the hang up.

Posted by
9371 posts

There is an airport express bus that takes you from the airport to Atocha train station, which is very near the Reina Sofia. The trip takes about 25 minutes, and it runs every 20 minutes or so. It's much cheaper than a taxi (5.50 euro each, as opposed to over $30 - not sure about fares for the kids since I travel solo). If that is all you want to do, it should be very doable in the time you have, as long as you allow time to go back through security when you get back to the airport. IF you can catch the bus as soon as you walk out the door of the airport, and if you catch one back at the latest possible moment (3:00) you should have a couple of hours at the museum maximum. What do you plan to do with your bags while in Madrid?

Posted by
20 posts

@ Frank it's a domestic flight from Granada Spain, lands in Madrid and then we leave from Madrid to Paris.

@ Nancy We won't have our checked luggage it's transfered for us straight to paris. We will have carry on and that's it.
That taxi alternative is certainly interesting. I think you get to choose 2 from cheap, fast or convenient. I think in this case fast and convenient win over price.